The mock restaurant in which the hit television drama Raw was shot for RTÉ is to become a reality later this year. Circuit Court president, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, yesterday granted the proposed new Raw restaurant at 5, 6 and 7 Camden Street, Dublin, a "declaratory licence".
This means that if the premises, in which the 30 programmes for the five-series drama was recorded, is developed in accordance with planning permission then the real-life Raw restaurant is guaranteed a drinks’ licence.
New deal
Barrister Dorothy Collins, counsel for Raw’s new owner Stephen Johnston, said the new owners and a number of objectors had struck a deal over how the new Raw was to be run.
Constance Cassidy, SC, counsel for one of the main objectors, Councillor Mannix Flynn, told the court it could grant the declaratory order on foot of the agreement which had been committed to writing.
Niki Andrews, counsel for objectors Bernard Molloy, The Deluxe Hotel (Camden St) Limited and Claytondale Ltd, said they had also withdrawn their objections on foot of the agreed deal.
The agreement restricts Mr Johnston, owner of the Bleeding Horse pub, which is also on Camden Street, from running the new premises other than as a restaurant and café bar and strictly not as a public house or promoting it as a public house.
No dancing
Mr Johnston also agreed to maintain a full menu service and not to apply for music, singing or public dancing licences or to ask the court for special exemption orders.
He gave an undertaking that, in the event of a future sale of Raw restaurant, the agreement with the objectors would become part of the contract for sale.
Eoin Daly, a publican from Newport, Co Tipperary, told the court his publican’s licence had been extinguished to permit the granting of a new licence to Raw.
Judge Groarke granted the declaratory order “noting the agreement entered into between the objectors and Mr Johnston in respect of the operation of the premises”. After the hearing Mr Johnston said Raw should become a reality by October following renovations and refurbishment.